AUSTIN - The Texas Republican Party's grass-roots learned something that goes beyond there ain't no free lunch during the Republican National Convention.

The delegates to the RNC found out firsthand that there ain't no free breakfast either — except for maybe on the last day of the convention.

After late nights on the convention floor, bus rides home in the wee hours and little sleep, the state party didn't serve delegates a breakfast feast.

Coffee and tea to fight off grogginess was available for a mere $2 from a temporary counter set up in the hall.

While other state delegations might have been munching pastries and fruit, sipping orange juice and enjoying fresh flowers arrangements at their tables, the Texas Republican Party didn't even bother to call it breakfast.

They opted for the more accurate "morning briefing."

State party Secretary Mandy Tschoepe said the party chairman Steve Munisteri felt it was important to save donations to put toward winning in November.

"It's great to come to the convention and have lots of fun stuff and free breakfast every day, but the fact of the matter is that costs thousands and thousands of dollars," Tschoepe, of Plano, said.

That money could mean the difference between winning a state representative race or a state senate race or a county judge race, she said.

"And that's what's important to our party," Tschoepe said.

This convention's delegates also had a smaller slate of activities, partly because of the resort's location, she said.

It's about a 30-minute drive from the convention in Tampa.

However, on the convention's last day, the delegation munched on eggs and bacon at a breakfast sponsored by lobbying group Friends of Azerbaijan.

Penny pinching is not new to the party faithful.

When Munisteri took over in June 2010, the party was not just broke. It was $708,451 in debt.

"Its liabilities exceeded its assets, so it was legally bankrupt," Munisteri said.

He established a culture of not wasting money, he said, and making sure donations are used appropriately.

"As a continuation of that philosophy, we cut out the party paying for the food of delegates," he said.

Munisteri figures the party saved more than $100,000 by not providing food.

The party has been debt free for nearly two years and has more than $1 million cash on hand, he said.

J.D. Faircloth of Midland approved of Munisteri's approach.

"The Texas Republican party's a business, and he's run it successfully," Faircloth said.

Texas regional reporter Trish Choate can be reached at 202-408-2709 or choatet@shns.com.